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I had this piece of
1x2 aluminum with a notch cut in the center, so I enlarged the notch
a bit and added dovetail cuts at the ends so I could clamp it to the
dovetail on my milling machine. I drilled a 5/8"
hole at each end and a setscrew for each hole. |
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Now I have two outboard holders that I can use for a variety
of purposes, the most important of which is lighting. |
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This is the 24 volt machine light I have mounted on the
left side, and it's become pretty much a permanent fixture there. |
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The mounting is plain and simple, and a piece of hardwood
makes a fine little arm to hold the light. |
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I have a big swing arm magnetic light I can plug into the
right side for a closeup view and even better lighting. When it's in use
I hold an acrylic shield to its front with a pair of lightweight bungees
to keep off oil splatters and chips. |
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The lamp base plugs right into the hole and can be secured
with the big set screw. I usually leave it loose to make it easy to swing
the lamp aside. |
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While I was at it, I made a wall bracket and mounted it
behind my lathe so I could use the magnifier light there, too. |
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This item is the real hero of this story. It's a Bogen
Magic Arm by Manfrotto, and I found it in the pro lighting department of
my local camera store. |
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It works just like those Noga adjustable indicator holders.
The central hand screw loosens and tightens all three joints at once. |
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It has a quick release fitting on the end - the same one
I use for my cameras. They wanted a small fortune for extra dovetail plates
so I made a bunch from aluminum and a few from UHMW polyethylene so I could
attach a variety of things to the arm. |
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I use this one a lot. It's a section of PVC pipe with the
inside turned to fit the end of my shop vac hose. |
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It's great for sucking
up aluminum, plastic and wood chips! By the way, that tape and stretch
wrap on the hose is just strain relief - the hose is starting to develop
cracks - time for a new one. |
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My little camera in use. I like this one for odd angle
shots because it has a swivel mounted viewing screen. |
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The arm is stout enough to handle my big camera with the
heavy zoom lens. |
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And, like the light fixture, the arm plugs right into the
wall bracket behind my lathe. |